What Isordil is used for

Isordil Sublingual tablets are for the prevention and treatment of attacks of angina. Isordil Oral tablets are for the prevention of attacks of angina. Isordil tablets will not reduce the pain of an angina attack, but when taken regularly may prevent an attack from occurring

Angina is a pain or uncomfortable feeling in the chest, often spreading to the arms, neck and sometimes to the shoulders and back. The pain may be caused by too little blood and oxygen getting to the heart.

Isordil belongs to a group of medicines called nitrates. Isordil works by opening up blood vessels which allows more blood and oxygen to reach the heart.

Isordil may also be helpful in the treatment of some types of heart failure.

Your doctor may have prescribed Isordil for another purpose. Ask your doctor if you have any questions why Isordil has been prescribed for you.

There is no evidence that Isordil Sublingual and Oral tablets are addictive.

Before you use Isordil Sublingual or Oral tablets

When you must not use Isordil (discuss with your doctor)

If you have allergies to:

Isordil

any medication or food containing nitrates or nitrites

any ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or troubled breathing, hay fever, and feeling faint.

If you have any of the following medical conditions:

you suffer from certain types of heart disease (your doctor will advise you if this applies)

you have very low blood pressure

you have anaemia

you are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor advised that you can use Isordil. Ask your doctor about the risks or benefits involved

Do not use Isordil after the expiry date (Exp) printed on the pack.

Do not take Isordil if the package shows any sign of tampering.

Isordil is not recommended for use in children (your doctor will advise you if this applies).

Before you start to use Isordil

See your doctor for a check-up before you start to use Isordil.

You must tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines that you have bought from a pharmacy or supermarket

Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions

heart, liver or kidney disease

blood disorders or hardening of the arteries

low blood pressure

if you have recently had a heart attack, stroke or head injury

other medical conditions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take any other medicines, including any of the following:

medications for high blood pressure and other heart medications

tranquillisers/sedatives

medications for arthritis

medications for depression

These medicines may affect the way Isordil works.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.

Do not start to take any other medicine unless prescribed or approved by your doctor.

This includes medicines you can buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Using Isordil

Isordil Oral tablets are used to reduce the number of angina attacks, and should not be taken for relief of an anginal attack that has already started.

How to take Isordil

Isordil Sublingual tablets

At the first signs of an anginal attack, place one or two tablets under your tongue. If your angina is not relieved after taking these tablets you should call your doctor or nearest hospital immediately.

Isordil Oral tablets

The recommended dose for angina is 5 mg to 30 mg (1/2 to 3 tablets) taken four times a day, with a break of at least 8 hours between the evening dose and the next morning dose.

Your may doctor may recommend a different dose for you.

Follow your doctor's instructions if they are different from these.

Swallow Isordil tablets with a glass of water

Do not chew or crush Isordil oral tablets.

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor.

Elderly patients may need a lower dose.

If you forget to take Isordil

If you should be taking your next dose within 2 hours, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, take Isordil as soon as you remember, and then go back to take it as you would normally.

Do not try to make up for the dose that you missed by taking more than one dose at a time.

If you are unsure about whether to take your next dose, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

Overdose

Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (Ph 13 11 26) for advice or go to Casualty of your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Isordil, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Keep the telephone number for these places handy whilst taking any medications.

If you take too many Isordil tablets, you may experience a headache, become flushed, experience cold sweats, nausea, vomiting, very low blood pressure and a fast heartbeat.

If you do happen to run out, Isordil can be purchased from a pharmacy without a prescription.

Before having any type of surgery, tell your doctor or anaesthetist you are taking Isordil.

If a headache occurs after taking Isordil, pain relievers are recommended. The headache usually disappears on continual therapy with Isordil.

If the headache persists, contact your doctor.

Things to be careful of

You may feel light-headed or dizzy or faint when you begin to take Isordil. This is because your blood pressure is falling suddenly.

Get up slowly when getting out of bed or standing up from a sitting position if you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint.

If you drink alcohol, dizziness or faintness may be worse.

Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. The problem usually goes away after the first few doses.

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Isordil affects you.

Even though you may feel better when you start taking Isordil, be careful to avoid excessive physical activities.

Things you must not do

Do not chew or crush the tablets.

If you have been taking Isordil regularly for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it as this may bring on an angina attack. Check with your doctor for the best way to slowly reduce the amount of Isordil you are taking before stopping completely.

Do not give this medicine to anyone else.

Do not take any other medicines unless you have discussed this with your doctor or pharmacist.

This includes medicines you can buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Disposal

Product Description

What Isordil looks like

Isordil is available in two strengths of tablets.

Isordil 5 mg Sublingual tablets - pink round tablet, supplied in a bottle containing 100 tablets.Isordil 10 mg Oral tablets - white round tablet with a W marked on one side and a score line on the other side supplied in a box containing 100 tablets.

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What is a consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet?

A consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet tells you about the side effects of a particular medicine, what it is used for and how to use it, and is written according to Australian government standards.

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. NPS MedicineWise disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.